Across the Atlantic, offshore wind has been advancing for more than 20 years. Time for the US to catch up! Photo by London Array

New York has some of the greatest offshore wind power potential in the world. The Obama Administration continues to make federal Wind Energy Areas available for development all along the Atlantic Coast, and recently announced New York as top priority. It will then be up to state leadership to ensure the area is put to use. Despite a booming industry overseas that supports 85,000 jobs, offshore wind power has yet to provide any of America’s energy (though the nation’s first project is currently under construction!).

The National Wildlife Federation applauds New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for underscoring his commitment to clean energy and furthering a transition away from fossil fuels. His State of the State address builds on an announcement last year that he would aim for half of New York’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. This goal will only be attainable with robust deployment of offshore wind power, and we were pleased to hear his intent to issue a plan for getting it done.

“For the first time today, a New York governor highlighted the important role offshore wind power must play in its energy future. It was one of a series of significant steps outlined by Gov. Cuomo today toward achieving his goal of getting 50 percent of New York’s power from clean, renewable energy by 2030. We support Gov. Cuomo’s bold leadership and will continue urging New York to set a bold, clear target for wildlife-friendly offshore wind energy.”

New York has abundant offshore wind potential that can lead to local jobs, economic growth, and a cleaner environment. Photo by Barn Images via Flickr Creative Commons

The question remains to be answered: Who will launch large-scale offshore wind power in the U.S. and seize the first-mover economic benefits? The states that choose to be the pioneers in reaching this next clean energy frontier can secure the massive job creation potential of attracting supply chain industries. They can be the hubs of a specially trained workforce. And they can have the enduring legacy of inspiring their neighbors to harness our most abundant untapped clean energy solution, critical for protecting wildlife and future generations from the dangers of climate change.

Governor Cuomo’s ambition was clear in Albany – it sets the stage for the type of firm action that we look forward to seeing unfold in the months ahead. A directive to reach a clear offshore wind power target by a set date (we’re calling for 5,000 megawatts by 2025) will spark the innovative policy solutions that are well within reach. Let’s keep up this momentum and reach a truly clean energy future for the Empire State!

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2016/01/new-york-governor-points-to-offshore-wind-power/feed/0116462Energy Announcement on Long Island Indicates We Have a Long Way to Gohttp://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/energy-announcement-on-long-island-indicates-we-have-a-long-way-to-go/
http://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/energy-announcement-on-long-island-indicates-we-have-a-long-way-to-go/#respondThu, 18 Dec 2014 14:51:02 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=102775

A long-awaited clean energy announcement on Long Island yesterday missed a major opportunity finally bring New York’s massive offshore wind power resource online. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) committed to purchasing 122 megawatts (MW) of solar energy for New York. While every advancement of responsibly developed clean energy marks a step toward the kind of energy future we need – one that protects wildlife and future generations from the dangers of climate change – LIPA’s decision fails to meet even half of Governor Cuomo’s promise to supply 280 MW of renewable energy to Long Island.

A study released this week by Stony Brook University found that an offshore wind power project of comparable size to the one proposed to LIPA would have “essentially no impact” on ratepayers bills – meaning that Long Islanders could get cleaner power without facing a higher electric bill.

Demonstrated by the booming international industry that supports 70,000 employees overseas, developing America’s offshore wind power resources will create thousands of permanent, well-paying U.S. jobs.

The wind far off of Long Island’s Atlantic coast is some of the best in the world – conveniently adjacent to one of our nation’s largest energy markets. It is an unmatched opportunity to offer a large-scale energy solution to the strained New York Metro market that is home-grown, inexhaustible, and pollution-free.

Offshore wind power produces energy right when we need it. By a very fortunate coincidence, summer heat waves, afternoons, and winter cold snaps (those costly moments when we are asking the most of our electric grid), the winds offshore are blowing at their strongest.

The Northeast region is dangerously reliant on natural gas – and hinged to all the price volatility that comes with it. Offshore wind power will stabilize electric rates by diversifying our power supply, and growing the portion of that supply that is controlled by the leaders we elect.

One of more than 70 offshore wind farms worldwide — none of which are in U.S. waters… yet! (Photo: London Array)

Governor Cuomo missed a major opportunity to advance offshore wind power with today’s announcement, but the conversation is far from over. We need to advance clean energy solutions that match the scale of the challenges before us. In Atlantic Coast states, offshore wind power is a critical piece of the solution. New Yorkers have been loud and clear expressing their support for this massive local clean energy source, and we need to take this opportunity to raise the volume on our call to action: offshore wind power is a solution we are lucky to have, one that matches the values and concerns of New York ratepayers, and now is the time to make it happen.

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to helping realize our massive Atlantic offshore wind power potential in a manner that protects wildlife and their habitats throughout all stages of development. New York’s coastal and low-lying communities know the threats of climate change all too well – it is time we take action and build the smarter, more resilient energy future that is within reach and to hold our elected officials accountable to doing their part.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/energy-announcement-on-long-island-indicates-we-have-a-long-way-to-go/feed/0102775Sandy’s Mandate: Time to Get Serious About Clean Energyhttp://blog.nwf.org/2012/11/sandys-mandate-time-to-get-serious-about-clean-energy/
http://blog.nwf.org/2012/11/sandys-mandate-time-to-get-serious-about-clean-energy/#commentsWed, 28 Nov 2012 21:52:23 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=71463In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, it is more important than ever for Americans to rethink our energy choices.

Waves from Hurricane Sandy batter the Brooklyn coast. NASA photo.

Devastating extreme weather events are becoming far too common, with tragic consequences being felt along the coastlines of New York and New Jersey, and in communities all across the country as droughts, wildfires, and storms become more intense and severe.

It has been refreshing to see our leaders – from President Obama to Governors Cuomo and Christie – connect the dots and acknowledge that climate change is fueling these more frequent and intense storms, but investing in sea walls and storm response plans is just not enough.

Offshore Wind Energy in Germany = Jobs, & Not Just Along the Coast

I recently had the pleasure of spending a few days with Senator Joachim Lohse from Germany, a global leader in renewable energy. Thanks to the Heinrich Boll Foundation, which fosters transatlantic dialogue on critical issues, Senator Lohse came to America to share the amazing success story of offshore wind energy development in his state of Bremen. National Wildlife Federation was honored to join the Blue-Green Alliance for a US tour with the Senator, bringing Germany’s story of offshore wind job creation to key leaders, government agencies, stakeholders, and the media in Washington DC, Maryland, and New York.

Whether talking with Congressional staff, Governor’s offices, or labor leaders, the message was the same: offshore wind energy has been a massive economic development engine in Germany.

In Senator Lohse’s state of Bremen, Germany, new jobs in the offshore wind industry more than doubled over the last two years (See Lohse presentation). There are currently just under 3,000 jobs in the offshore wind industry in Bremerhaven (Bremen’s port city), a number which is expected to reach 14,000 by 2020. Across Europe, over 300,000 jobs have been projected to result from pursuing the region’s aggressive offshore wind energy goal of 40 GW by 2020.

And these are not just coastal jobs – over 60% of the economic development benefits from offshore wind energy in Germany have rippled across the country for project development and supply chain manufacturing industries.

Jealous!

Everyone we met with over the course of the tour used the same word in response to hearing Senator Lohse describe Germany’s commitment to clean energy, where renewables currently make up 25% of the country’s energy mix: Jealous!

The photos he showed of the buzzing port activity in Germany – including massive steel and concrete construction opportunities – left us all wishing we had the leadership here in America necessary to move us forward in harnessing our own offshore wind energy resource.

Despite the great success creating clean energy and jobs from offshore wind overseas, we currently do not have a single turbine spinning off America’s shores.

At a time when the twin imperatives of advancing clean energy and revitalizing our economy could not be more clear, we simply can no longer afford to ignore the massive job-creating energy source sitting right off our shores. A recent poll found that Americans prefer clean energy to investing in more fossil fuels by a 4 to 1 margin, yet renewable energy only makes up 4% of our energy mix. It is time to get serious about clean energy sources like offshore wind.

Take Action: Critical tax credits for wind energy expire at the end of this year.Click here voice your support for offshore wind energy!